Polymers for industrial 3D printing: Polyamide 12

Polyamide 12 in 3D printing

White polyamide 12 powder, also known as nylon, is the best-proven material on the market. Components made with it are robust, have long-term stability and are chemically resistant and extremely versatile. The polyamide 12-based materials from EOS are a high-performance alternative for plastics that have proven themselves in injection molding, such as ABS or PA6. The additively manufactured end products are just as strong, flexible and durable as injection molded products.

Areas of application:
This low-cost general-purpose material is suitable for a wide range of applications such as functional prototypes or qualified series production parts from industrial sectors.

PA 2200 - Polyamide 12 white for industrial 3D printing

PA 2200 - Polyamide 12 white

These durable white components made of PA 2200 have a very balanced properties profile: They are characterized by strength, rigidity and good chemical resistance. They are also biocompatible and certified for contact with food.

Typical mechanical properties  
Tensile modulus 1650 MPa
Tensile strength 48 MPa
Elongation at break 18 %

 

Thermal properties  
Melting temperature (20°C/min) 176 °C
Shape stability temperature (1.80 MPa) 70 °C
Shape stability temperature (0.65 MPa) 154 °C

 

Physical properties  
Density 930 kg/m³

 

Printers suitable for the material PA 2200 - Polyamide 12 white:

Material PA 2201 - Polyamide 12 natural for industrial 3D printing

PA 2201 - Polyamide 12 natural

Components made from the natural polyamide 12 powder are white as well, but look somewhat more transparent. The material is approved for contact with food (FDA, 21 CFR), with material properties otherwise comparable to PA 2200, such as strength, stiffness and good chemical resistance.

Typical mechanical properties  
Tensile modulus 1700 MPa
Tensile strength 48 MPa
Elongation at break 15 %

 

Thermal properties  
Melting temperature (20°C/min) 176 °C
Shape stability temperature (1.80 MPa) 70 °C
Shape stability temperature (0.65 MPa) 154 °C

 

Physical properties  
Density 930 kg/m³

 

Standards complied with: Certified for contact with food in accordance with FDA, 21 CFR, § 177.1500 9(b) with the exception of alcoholic beverages


Printers suitable for the material PA 2201 - polyamide 12 natural:

PrimePart FR (PA 2241 FR) - Polyamide 12 flame-retardant for industrial 3D printing

PrimePart FR (PA 2241 FR) - Polyamide 12 flame-retardant

The polyamide 12-based material contains a halogen-containing flame-retardant and is white. Due to its good refreshability it is very economical compared to other flame-retardant materials. The additively manufactured components are both tensile and ductile and are used in aircraft interior fittings, e.g. for ventilation ducts or exhaust valves.

Typical mechanical properties  
Tensile modulus 1900 MPa
Tensile strength 49 MPa XY / 46 MPa Z
Elongation at break 9 % Z

 

Thermal properties  
Melting temperature (20°C/min) 185°C
Shape stability temperature (1.80 MPa) 84 °C
Shape stability temperature (0.45 MPa) 154 °C

 

Physical properties  
Density 1000 kg/m³

 

Standards and guidelines complied with: FAR 25.853, AIRBUS Guideline for AM manufactured plastic parts

Printers suitable for PrimePart FR (PA 2241 FR) material - Polyamide 12 flame-retardant:

PA 2210 FR - Polyamide 12 flame-retardant for industrial 3D printing

PA 2210 FR - Polyamide 12 flame-retardant

The white polyamide 12 powder is equipped with a halogen-free chemical flame retardant. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has granted PA 2210 FR the Blue Card (the equivalent of the well-known Yellow Card), specifically for 3D printing materials: From a wall thickness of 3 mm the requirements for the fire protection class UL 94 / V-0 are met, which is especially relevant for the manufacturing of electrical and electronic components or for applications in the aerospace and mobility sectors.
 
Typical mechanical properties  
Tensile modulus 2500 MPa XY / 2300 MPa Z
Tensile strength 46 MPa XY / 41 MPa Z
Elongation at break 4 %

 

Thermal properties  
Melting temperature (20°C/min) 185 °C
Shape stability temperature (1.82 MPa) 84 °C
Shape stability temperature (0.45 MPa) 154 °C

 

Physical properties  
Density 1060 kg/m³

 

Standards and guidelines complied with: FAR 25.853, UL 94 / V-0

Printers suitable for PA 2210 FR - polyamide 12 flame-retardant:

PA 3200 GF - Polyamide 12 filled with glass beads for industrial 3D printing

PA 3200 GF - Polyamide 12 filled with glass beads

Components made of the white, glass bead-filled polyamide 12 powder are characterized by high stiffness combined with good elongation at break, are particularly wear-resistant and can withstand thermal stress. The material is used, among other things, in vehicle engines or as a molding material for thermoforming tools.

Typical mechanical properties  
Tensile modulus 3200 MPa
Tensile strength 51 MPa
Elongation at break 9 %

 

Thermal properties  
Melting temperature (20°C/min) 185 °C
Shape stability temperature (1.82 MPa) 96 °C
Shape stability temperature (0.45 MPa) 179 °C

 

Physical properties  
Density 1200 kg/m³

 

Printers suitable for the material PA 3200 GF - Polyamide 12 filled with glass beads:

Material Alumide® - Polyamide 12 filled with aluminum for industrial 3D printing

Alumide® - Polyamide 12 filled with aluminum

The metallic gray, aluminum-filled polyamide 12 powder is characterized by high stiffness, a metallic appearance and good post-machining capabilities. The surfaces of Alumide components can be very easily refined by grinding, polishing or coating. Machining is simplified by the chip-breaking effect of the aluminum filling. Alumide® is also characterized by its very high temperature resistance, which is reflected in its excellent dimensional stability at high temperatures. Parts made of Alumide® can therefore be functionally used at high temperatures.

Typical mechanical properties  
Tensile modulus 3800 MPa
Tensile strength 48 MPa
Elongation at break 4 % Z

 

Thermal properties  
Melting temperature (20°C/min) 176 °C
Shape stability temperature (1.82 MPa) 144 °C
Shape stability temperature (0.45 MPa) 175 °C

 

Physical properties  
Density 1360 kg/m³

 

Printers suitable for the material Alumide® - Polyamide 12 filled with aluminum:

Polymer PA 640-GSL - Polyamide 12 filled with glass beads and carbon fibers for industrial 3D printing

PA 640-GSL - Polyamide 12 filled with glass beads and carbon fibers

The dark gray PA 12 material is filled with both hollow glass spheres and carbon fibers. This makes it exceptionally temperature-resistant and stiff, but also very light.

Typical mechanical properties  
Tensile modulus 3816 MPa XY / 1945 MPa Z
Tensile strength 49 MPa XY / 33 MPa Z
Elongation at break 3 %

 

Thermal properties  
Melting temperature (20°C/min) 185 °C
Shape stability temperature (1.82 MPa) 170 °C
Shape stability temperature (0.45 MPa) 180 °C

 

Physical properties  
Density 820 kg/m³

 

Printers suitable for the material PA 640-GSL - Polyamide 12 filled with glass beads and carbon fibers:

Do you have any questions?

Frank Gersbach - Manager Additive Manufacturing